Section 256 — Witness Travel and Allowance Expenses
Statutory text (Thai original)
ให้ศาลจ่ายค่าพาหนะ ค่าป่วยการ และค่าเช่าที่พักที่จำเป็นและสมควรแก่พยานซึ่งมาศาลตามหมายเรียก ตามระเบียบที่คณะกรรมการบริหารศาลยุติธรรมกำหนดโดยความเห็นชอบจากกระทรวงการคลังพยานที่ได้รับค่าพาหนะ ค่าป่วยการ หรือค่าเช่าที่พักในลักษณะเดียวกันตามกฎหมายอื่นแล้วไม่มีสิทธิได้รับตามมาตรานี้อีก
English translation
The court shall pay travel expenses, allowances, and necessary and reasonable accommodation expenses to a witness who comes to court in response to a summons, according to the regulations prescribed by the Judicial Administration Commission with the approval of the Ministry of Finance. A witness who has already received travel expenses, allowances, or accommodation of the same kind under another law is not entitled to receive them again under this section.
This English translation is provided for reference only and has not yet been firm-verified — always rely on the Thai original.
Firm annotation
Section 256, in the Chapter on fees, obliges the court to reimburse witnesses summoned to attend, covering travel, an allowance, and reasonable accommodation, under regulations of the Judicial Administration Commission approved by the Ministry of Finance. It ensures witnesses are not left out of pocket for supporting the criminal process. An anti-double-recovery clause bars a witness from claiming again where equivalent payment has been received under another law.
Why this matters in practice
If you are summoned as a witness in a criminal case, you are entitled to claim travel, an allowance, and necessary accommodation from the court under the applicable regulations. Keep receipts and follow the court's process to claim. Do not expect a second payment for the same expenses if you have already been paid for them under another law.
Frequently asked questions
Can a witness claim expenses for coming to court?
Yes. Under section 256 a witness who attends on a summons is entitled to travel expenses, an allowance, and necessary and reasonable accommodation, paid by the court under the applicable regulations.
Can a witness claim the same expenses twice?
No. Section 256 bars a witness who has already received travel, an allowance, or accommodation of the same kind under another law from claiming again under this section.